1. “Sometimes, to conserve water, one just needs to
know how much they use. Immediate information
allows one to make more concise judgments
concerning their water usage and encourages them to
Just Turn It Off. This proposed system allows
individuals to know their water consumption as they
use it. It is composed of a key pad connected to
electric water valves at every water faucet. These
components tie into a computer with a program that
records the hot and cold water used. The Way it
Works: 1) Each user has an assigned number and
they key in their number whenever the need to turn on
the water. 2) The user keys in their number triggering
the water valves to open and count the flow of water.
Individual valves occur at the hot and cold pipes with
the idea that hot water requires more energy thus
encouraging less use of hot water. 3) The amount of
water usage displays at the key pad in real time. 4)
Upon turning off the water, the user hits enter, the
valves close, and the computer program records the
information. 5) From the computer program, one
makes reports comparing and contrasting the water
consumption of each individual. If this is not enough
to curb water consumption, the computer program
can assigned daily, weekly, or monthly limits to each
individual. Upon reaching that limit, the valves will no
longer open and the user will need to plead their case
to get more water. This method might suit a big
household, dorm, fraternity / sorority, or the like.”